Elastic waistband for garments



Apwfi 4, 1961 F. GABLER ET ELASTIC WAISTBAND FOR GARMENTS Filed May 19, 1964 F/Ci? m- I RRZ mi W wa A mm w E G nn l Chum United States PatentOfitice 3,3 1 i327! Patented Apr. 4, 1967 3,311,927 ELASTIC WAHSTBAND FUR GARMENTS Franz Gahler and Eric George Selzer, both of Vienna, Austria, assignors of fifty percent to Franz Gabler, and fifty percent to EXT Modellbekleidung Aktiengesellschaft, both of Vienna, Austria Filed May 19, 1964, Ser. No. 368,530 Claims priority, application Austria, Nov. 22, 1963, A 9,373/63 3 Claims. (Cl. 2--221) This invention relates to waistbands for garments such as trousers, skirts and the like, and, more particularly, to an elastic waistband comprising upper and lower longitudinally extending elastic waistband sections merging at mating edges, with the upper waistband section being elastic only in the longitudinal direction and the lower section being elastic in both longitudinal and transverse directions.

There are known elastic waistbands for garments comprising upper and lower longitudinally extending sections in which the upper section is elastic only in a longitudinal direction and has a greater resistance to longitudinal expansion than does the lower section. Bands of this type are joined to the garments only in the area of the transition zone of the two sections.

There are known disadvantages to this type of waistband, among which is the cumbersomeness and difficulty encountered in securing the waistband to the assembled garment. The lower strip, below the transition zone where the waistband is secured to the garment, and having a low resistance to elongation, has a tendency to fold over. This not only impairs the fit of the garment, but also makes the reinforcement conspicuously visible through the garment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a twostrip waistband in which the above-mentioned disadvantage of known waistbands of this type are obviated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a twostrip Waistband in which the upper strip is elastic only in the longitudinal direction while the lower strip is elastic in both the longitudinal and transverse directions.

A further object of the invention is to provide an elastic waistband of the two-strip type which may be joined with the various parts of the garment before as sembly of the garment and by seams extending transversely of the waistband.

In accordance with the invention, these objects are obtained by providing a two-strip waistband in which the upper strip is preferably elastic only in a longitudinal direction, while the lower strip is elastic in both the longitudinal and transverse directions, the two sections merging at the transition zone. A waistband of this type can be joined with the various parts of the garment before the latter is assembled, and is joined to the garment parts by seams which extend transversely of the waistband or vertically of the garment. By this construction, the lower strip no longer folds over the seams by means of which the parts of the garment are united.

It has been found, rather surprisingly, that the waistband of the invention will not fold over even when it is secured to the garment only along the mentioned transition zone between the upper and lower strips. However, it may be expedient to unite the band to the garment at additional points, such as along the lower edge of the lower strip and either continuously or at separated points along such lower edge.

Due to the dual directional elasticity of the lower strip of the waistband, the waistband of the invention can be used in garments of elastic material, because the expansion of elastic material of the garment is in no way hindered by the transverse elasticity of the bottom strip.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of a typical embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial elevational view of a garment embodying the waistband of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial elevational view of a waistband embodying the invention.

Referring to the drawings, a garment of elastic material is illustrated as comprising several pieces, such as the pieces 1 and 2, which are united by an elastic seam before they are combined with the parts 3 and 3 of the waistband embodying the invention. This waistband, as best seen in FIG. 2, includes an upper strip 3a which is elastic only in a longitudinal direction, and which is joined to a lower strip 3b at a transition zone 4. Lower strip 3b is elastic in both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.

The waistband is joined with the parts 1 and 2 of the garment in the region of the transition zone 4 of the lower and upper strips 3a and 3b, respectively. The waistband is also secured to the garment at the end thereof, as indicated at 5 which is a vertically extending seam or one extending transversely of the waistband.

After the waistband parts 3 and 3' have been joined to the garment parts 1 and 2, the parts of the garment are united by a vertically extending seam 6. This seam 6 is formed in such a manner, for example, by means of elastic yarn or thread, that the seam 6 is elastic. The lower waistband strip 3!) is united with the garment by the seam 6 up to the point 7, so that lower strip 312 cannot fold upwardly. Nevertheless, the elasticity of seam 6 is not impaired, since strip 3b is elastic in a direction transversely of itself.

Referring to FIG. 2, the band 3 is comprised of the longitudinally extending elastic waistband sections 3a and 3b. Section 3a, which is the upper section, is constructed so as to be elastic only in the longitudinal direction. Strip 3b is formed so that it is elastic both in the longitudinal direction and in a transverse direction, and this may be produced on a Galon type of machine. The two sections 3a and 3b are united to form a waistband by means of a zig-zag-type of seam 8.

It will be appreciated that the two-part waistband may be formed in a manner other than as described above. Thus, the waistband can be formed as a unit, with the two sections being produced simultaneously by weaving, knitting, braiding, or on the mentioned Galon type of machine. No difficulty is encountered in imparting the desired selected elasticity to the two sections, as this may be easily effected by proper incorporation of elastic yarns, such as rubber yarns. Alternatively, the two sections can be produced independently in the manner mentioned and be subsequently joined by a sewn seam or cemented together. The particular manufacturing methods used can be selected in accordance with the desired end use and the requirements of such desired end use.

In some cases, the elasticity produced by the weaving will be sufficient, for example, when the waistband is formed with loops. It is furthermore possible first to join only the lower section 3b with the garment, and then form a seam uniting the upper section 3a to the lower section 3b. Furthermore, the elasticity or tensile strengths of the respective upper and lower sections can be equal or can be different, and the elasticities of the lower section in the respective longitudinal and transverse directions either can be equal Or can differ.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. garment having an elastic waistband, said elastic waistband comprising upper and lower longitudinally extending elastic waistband sections merging at a transition zone, the upper section being elastic only in a longitudinal direction and the lower section being elastic in both longitudinal and transverse directions; the upper edge of said garment being joined to said waistband along said transition zone.

2. A garment which is elastic in at least the longitudinal direction, and having an elastic waistband, the elastic waistband comprising upper and lower longitudinally extending elastic waistband sections merging at a transition zone, the upper section being elastic only in the longitudinal direction and the lower section being elastic in both longitudinal and transverse directions; said lower section being united in superposed relation to said garment by seams extending transversely of said lower section and substantially vertically of the garment.

3. A garment which is elastic in at least the longitudinal direction, and having an elastic waistband, said waistband comprising upper and lower longitudinally extending elastic waistband sections merging at a transition zone, the upper section being elastic only in a longitudinal direction and the lower section being elastic in both longitudinal and transverse directions; the upper edge of said garment being joined to said waistband along said transition zone; and means uniting said lower waistband section in superposed relation to the garment at least spaced points along the lower edge of the lower section.

References Cited by the Examiner JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

FRANK J. COHEN, A. R. GUEST,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A GARMENT HAVING AN ELASTIC WAISTBAND, SAID ELASTIC WAISTBAND COMPRISING UPPER AND LOWER LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING ELASTIC WAISTBAND SECTIONS MERGING AT A TRANSITION ZONE, THE UPPER SECTION BEING ELASTIC ONLY IN A LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION AND THE LOWER SECTION BEING ELASTIC IN BOTH LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE DIRECTIONS; THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID GARMENT BEING JOINED TO SAID WAISTBAND ALONG SAID TRANSISTION ZONE. 